Paul Miller Racing announces technical partnership with Michelin

Paul Miller Racing and driver Bryce Miller have entered into a technical partnership with Michelin for its 2013 American Le Mans Series GT class effort with the No. 48 Chopard/Total Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

"We've worked extremely hard over the past two seasons with tire development programs in the ALMS GT class and have earned, in some cases, some decent results," said team owner Paul Miller. "Now, for 2013, our new technical partnership with Michelin is one of the most significant developments in the short history of Paul Miller Racing.

"Michelin has outstanding experience with Porsche in ALMS, and we expect our team's capability to be more accurately reflected in much improved results which is very exciting for everyone involved with our team. We believe our team will be positioned to compete for victories and consistent respectable finishes in the coming season."

Michelin won the 2012 ALMS GT Tire Championship with seven class victories from the 10-race season. It was Michelin's 13th consecutive ALMS GT Tire title. Michelin has more than 100 victories in ALMS competition and owns 15 consecutive overall victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We are pleased to welcome Paul Miller Racing aboard as a new Michelin technical partner team," said Silvia Mammone, motorsports manager, Michelin North America. "Having the No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on Michelin tires continues our long relationship with Porsche as the series and sports car racing approaches a new era."

Bryce Miller co-drove the No. 48 Porsche to three top-five results alongside Sascha Maassen en route to sixth in the final 2012 ALMS GT team standings. Miller's co-driver for 2013 will be announced at a later date.

"I am excited to go racing this coming season," said Bryce Miller. "Our team has worked hard for this opportunity and I am eager to see what can materialize for us."

The first official 2013 ALMS activities will take place with the annual Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway in early February. The ALMS season gets under way with the 61st Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 16.